. >>> and the debt ceiling debate is heating up, as well, with the obama administration insisting it won't negotiate with republicans on raising the ceiling. the white house says congress can either pay its bills or it can put the nation into default. reports suggest the government can run out of action to pay those bills as early as mid february. >>> and the creators of south park are setting up their own production studio. they've secured $2 million to set up a company called important stud wrote. the new studio will incorporate revenue from south park and the hit broadway play "the book of mormons." >>> and the ftse 100 closed up with a fresh 4 1/2 low on friday. we had a pupil by another market. but today, the xetra dax, cac 40 and the ibex, as well. shaking off that production data. take a look at what's on today's agenda in the u.s. fed chief ben bernanke will be speaking at the university of michigan later on. he'll discuss monetary policy, recovery from the financial crisis and is long-term challenges facing the u.s. economy. bernanke's xhnts will set the tone for a fed meeti